3 Today Anchors Who Lasted Just a Year: What Really Happened Behind Their Sudden Departures?

Today has had a long history of celebrated hosts, but not all have lasted. While some anchors like Katie Couric and Savannah Guthrie enjoyed long stints on the beloved morning show, others came and went much sooner. John Chancellor, Deborah Norville, and Ann Curry are among the anchors who lasted only a year on Today. But what led to their abrupt exits, and where are they now?

John Chancellor – A Brief but Impactful Stint

John Chancellor’s time on Today was short but marked a major shift for the show. Taking over for the iconic Dave Garroway in 1961, Chancellor only remained with Today for a little over a year, departing in September 1962. Reflecting on his brief time, Chancellor admitted he wasn’t entirely thrilled with the job, stating that he’d been recruited while on assignment in Moscow. After leaving the show, he went on to make his mark as a senior political correspondent for NBC, eventually becoming the anchor of NBC Nightly News.

Deborah Norville – A Resignation Amid Controversy

Deborah Norville’s tenure at Today was marked by controversy after she joined the show in 1989 and became co-host in 1990. However, her departure in 1991 came after tensions over her perceived role in pushing out her predecessor, Jane Pauley. In an interview with PEOPLE in May 2025, Norville admitted that she “went through a major depression” after the fallout, and “I didn’t think I’d ever work in broadcasting again.” Despite the hardships, Norville returned to TV and ultimately hosted Inside Edition for 30 years.

Ann Curry – A Heartbreaking Exit

Ann Curry’s exit from Today in 2012 was one of the most painful for fans, as she had spent 13 years as the morning show’s news anchor. Her brief stint as co-anchor with Matt Lauer ended suddenly, and despite Lauer’s later departure amid scandal, Curry revealed in a 2018 PEOPLE interview that leaving Today “hurt like hell.” She said, “I know I did nothing wrong. I know I was good at my job,” expressing her confusion over why she was let go. After her departure, Curry remained with NBC before launching her own production company in 2015. She made a return to TV in 2018 with We’ll Meet Again, and since then, she has continued to make a difference as the host of Chasing the Cure.

Where Are They Now?

Each of these anchors went on to have diverse and successful careers. Chancellor became a respected figure in news until his death in 1996. Norville became the longtime anchor of Inside Edition, while Curry carved out her own path as a producer and executive in the media industry.

These anchors’ brief tenures on Today highlight the challenges and complexities of working in the fast-paced world of morning television, where careers can change in the blink of an eye. But one thing is clear—each of them left a lasting legacy in the industry.

Source: From https://www.dailymail.co.uk/